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Post by lew on Jun 17, 2015 7:05:03 GMT -5
Where is a good source to obtain Viet Minh uniforms and equipment?
I suppose before that question answered, what would a basic outfitting of a VM soldier look like?
ETA: Moore Militaria has a decent selection of NVA equipment, but all of it seems to be inappropriate for the First Indochina War.
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Post by craigtx on Jun 17, 2015 9:00:21 GMT -5
You've already checked the first place I was gonna tell ya to try. I'll do some looking and see if I can dig up something.
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Post by Étienne on Jul 3, 2015 16:38:37 GMT -5
Dang...awhile ago I likely could have told you off the top of my head, but these days my head is barely attached!
Equipment-wise, I've seen WWII Japanese canteens in photos, but I'm sure almost anything French, American, Japanese, or Chinese/PLA (pre-1960s style, of course) would work.
I think black (and maybe blue, too) "pajama" type clothing would have have been appropriate, as from what I can tell the French "imported" that style of workers' clothing sometime in the early 20th century (black was the "badge" of agriculture workers/farmers, blue of factory workers). Or the "standard" khaki/tan/green pajama-like Chinese/PLA uniform. I believe the Chinese had a patauga style boot that is considered to be the Type 50, but I dunno if that's an actual designation or a collectors' designation. Hat-wise, I'd likely use the French Mle 49 or one of the lightweight bamboo/palm frond-like "helmets" like the ones worn by the French DBP prisoners when they were released.
I believe they used some padded uniforms, too; can't remember if I've seen that in photos or read it in one of Bernard Fall's books. There are some good and detailed photos of when the VM occupied Hanoi, but of course they were wearing their finest for the take over. Of course, during DBP entire units of the VM were known to wear captured "lizard pattern" camo French uniforms!
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Post by Étienne on Jul 3, 2015 16:41:02 GMT -5
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Post by lew on Jul 4, 2015 11:49:51 GMT -5
Excellent write-up, Steve. Thanks.
Entire units got Mle. 47/52 TAP uniforms courtesy of mis-dropped French supplies at DBP.
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